Voting machine of the recording



Dec. 8, 1942. F. L. FULLER 2,304,450

VOTING MACHINE OF THE RECORDING TYPE Filed May 2, 1940 5 Sheets-sheaf 1Hal.

' ATTORNEY F. L. FULLER 2,304,450

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1940 WWI} ilTi W! Dec. 8, 1942.

' vo'rme momma OF THE RECORDING TYPE INYENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1942.

F. L. FULLER VOTING MACHINE OF THE RECORDING TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledMay 2, 1940 FIG.3.

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Deg. 8, 1942. F. L. FULLER VOTING MACHINE OF THE RECORDING TYPE 7 FiledMay 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 \\\\\\\\x =55 W: I

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ATTORNEY I.

Patented Dec. 8, 1942 VOTING MACHINE OF THE RECORDING TYPE Frederick L.Fuller, West to International Business Machines Corporation, New'York,N. Y., a corporation of New York Orange, N. J assignor Application May2, 1940, Serial No. 332,933

8 Claims.

This invention relates to voting machines and, more particularly, tomachines of the recording type wherein the selected candidates names arerecorded upon a ballot inserted in the machine.

In former procedures for voting, the selection and designation of thecandidates names running for election have been accomplished by havingthe voter designate the selected candidates by writing their names onsuccessive lines of the ballot. The objection to such form ofdesignation is that, while the voter may personally choose hiscandidates and designate them in the form of handwriting, in manyinstances such handwriting is illegible and would thereby subject theballot to the possibility of being thrown out on the ground that thedesignation has not been legally made. In addition to the aboveobjection the writing of the candidates names on the ballot is not aneffective guard against the tampering of votes since erasures may bereadily made and the ballot otherwise changed or marked, permittingdishonesty in the election.

It has, heretofore, been the object of prior inventions to overcome thelast named objections by providing means whereby the selection ofcandidates names previously printed on the ballot is designated by markswhich are not capable of change or alteration without .detection. Suchmarks are usually made by the punching of holes aside of the names ofthe candidates. Another form of machine, where the importance of printing candidates names on successive lines of a ballot is recognized,constitutes an arrangement whereby printing members in the form of handoperated stamps are utilized. Where the selection involves a largenumber of candidates obviously such a system leads to confusion and to agreat loss of time in voting.

The broad object of the present invention is to provide a constructionof a voting machine which incorporates the provision of a series ofprinting members representing candidates names which are easilyselectable by the operator and from which selected printing memberssuccessive recordings may be effected on a plurality of lines of aballot.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide avoting machine of the recording type wherein the printing members may beselected by the operator by an arrangement which will facilitate theirselection and which operation of the machine may be performed without agreat deal of skill on the part of the voter. In this connection, it isa still further object of the invention to provide a simple andeffective means whereby printing from the selected printing members maybe performed speedily and by operations of the machine which are simpleto effect and which do not necessitate knowledge of, and skill andexperience by the voter.

Summarizing the last named objects of the invention, it is evident thatthe main object of the invention is to provide a voting machine of therecording type, the use of which for voting by selection of candidatesnames is so simplified as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of thevoter failing to record his choice of candidates names. This is attainedin the present machine by following principles of operation whichrequire a minimum number of settable parts and involve the utilizationof a certain novel precautionary device which insures a perfectlyoperating machine at all times.

While the voting machine, hereinafter to be described in detail, isgenerally useful in different forms of voting requiring a selection ofcandidates names, propositions, or proposed amendments, the presentmachine is particularly designed for use in a procedure of votingdesignated, at the present time, as voting according to proportionalrepresentation. In this form of voting there is a selection ofcandidates in the usual manner but with respect to a particular ofiicethe voter may, at will, select a plurality of candidates in their orderof choice. The selection of candidates in this manner gives a widerexpression of the minds of the voters and more clearly represents thechoice by the voters made with regard to the particular qualificationsof the candidates running for an ofiice. The summarizing of the resultsof the election also requires, for voting according to the proportionalrepresentation system, the sorting out of the ballots so as to be ableto determine the particular candidates representing the first, second,third, etc., choices of the voters.

In the form of voting where candidates names are written on the ballot,obivously illegible handwriting greatly increases the time required forsorting of the ballots. In the present machine the printing of theballots in a legible and in an unalterable manner permits of thespeeding up of sorting operations and greatly insures honesty in theelection by the elimination of fraud and dishonesty.

In voting according to the proportional representation system, provisionis made in the law, in some instances, for the voting of candidatesnames not previously selected and which are not represented on thecandidate sheet presented to the operator. While this may, ordinarily,be attained by simply removing the ballot before or after the printingof the candidates names by the machine it is essential that theselection of such candidates names be also designated on the ballot intheir order of choice. If the voter comes to that part of the selectionof candidates which requires the selection of candidates in order ofchoice and he finds that his choice is not represented on the candidatesnames already selected, the voter should be permitted to exercise hisfranchise by writing in at such line of the ballot a candidate whichwould be more desirable to him and which would represent his first,second or third choice.

As previously stated the selection of the candidates names is effectedby the operator and the present improvement comprises a drum which uponits rotation brings to a printing line a selected printing member so asto print upon the ballot sheet the name of the desired candidate. Anoperation of the operating handle of the machine will effect theprinting impression on the ballot and for successive operations of theoperating handle the ballot is moved step by step to present successivelines to the printing position. Obviously, where a candidates name is tobe written the ballot should not be printed and in the presentimprovement the operation of the operating handle will position theballot. to a writing space and is so located that the name of thecandidate may be written on the line which would ordinarily be printed.

It is, therefore, a more specific object of the invention to provide anarrangement whereby the voter may indicate his choice of a candidatewhich has not been presented for his consideration by writing thecandidates name at a line of the ballot sheet which will not onlydesignate the candidate but will also indicate the order of choice.

While the construction of the machine is based upon principles ofoperation which lead to a simple embodiment and which permit theefficient use of the machine without a great deal of knowledge and skillby the voter it is preferable to incorporate in the voting machinecertain devices, which are in the nature of precautionary devices, toinsure the proper performance of the machine regardless of the improperacts of the operator, which may be intentional or accidental.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide interlockingdevices between the operating parts of the machine and among the variousinterlocking devices provided there may be mentioned, without regard totheir importance, the provision of an interlocking means which providesfor the locking of the operating handle of the machine when the coverwhich gives access to the ballot is raised; and an interlocking means tolock the operating handle when the aforementioned cover is elevated toenable the insertion or removal of the ballot. Also associated with theabove described interlocking devices and also forming part of the meansincorporated in the machine to insure the proper performance of themanually operated parts is a full stroke mechanism for the operatinghandle. This is, however, of the customary construction and will berecognized when the specification progresses to that point where itsdescription is involved.

Other constructions of the machine which are provided for the purpose ofenhancing the value of the machine and which insure its properperformance and eificient operation will be clearly recognized as theconstruction of the machine is understood by reference to the followingspecification.

It should also be understood that while the present machine has beenespecially designed for use as a voting machine many of the novelarrangements disclosed herein may be found applicable to machines of thesame, or other types. It should, therefore, be understood that thepresent disclosure is illustrative and should not be considered asrestrictive.

The description of the machine which is contained in the followingspecification is divided into sections relating to the differentfeatures of the machine and which, in effect, also constitute objects ofthe inventions.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front view of the assembled machine, the enclosing coversbeing shown so as to indicate the external appearance of the ballotprinting machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the machine taken on the line 22 of Fig. 5showing particularly, the relationship between the manually operatedframe, the ballot carrying carriage and the candidate name indicatordrum.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. land shows particularly, the operative relationship between the candidatename indicator drum and the candidate name printing drum.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2 andshows particularly, the mechanism which has the combined function of analigning mechanism for the candidate name indicator drum and also thefunction of locking the latter when a printing operation is beingeffected.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at the right end of themachine as indicated by the section line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the operative relationshipbetween the ballot carrying carriage and the printing members, theformer being shown in operated position to indicate the manner ofeffecting a printing impression.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 andshows particularly, the construction of the carriage line spacingmechanism.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2 and indicatesthe manner in which the ballot carriage is shifted from a normalposition to a dash-dot line position to effect the desired imprint.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line I 0l0 of Fig. 2showing particularly, the operative relationship between the manuallyoperated frame and the ballot carrying carriage.

Construction of printing mechanism for printing selected candidatesnames standing frame member 29 is provided with an integral hub 2| inwhich is journaled a rod 22. Secured to the rod 22 by a pin 23 is a hubmem-v ber 24 and by means of a screw 25a disk 26 is secured to the hub24 and therefore to the shaft 22. Integral with the disk 26 is a ring 21and secured to the ring 21 is a band 28 which, as best shown in Figs. 1and 3, carries a candidate name card 29. This card has preferablyprinted thereon in successive lines the list of ofiicial candidates andin Fig. l, a number of these appear as they would be printed on the card29. At the left hand of the band 29, there is provided a knurled ring 39which is adapted to be manually grasped so as to rotate the candidatename indicator drum consisting of the elements 26, 21, 28 and 29 and bycorrelating a selected candidiates name on the card 29 with a pointer 3|(Fig. 1) a related printing member will be brought to printing position.

The right end of the rod 22 also carries a supplemental hub 32 and isfixed thereto by a pin 33. Loosely fitting over the rod 22 is a disk 34and integral with the disk 34 is a ring 35. In the manual positioning ofthe parts, the disk 34 is slipped over the rod 22 and when in a properposition a locating pin 35 carried by the hub 32 will fit into a holeformed in the disk 34 and when this relationship is obtained, the disk34 is fixed in position by means of a bolt 31 which is threaded so as tobe screwed within a threaded hole of the rod 22. The disk 34 carries byany suitable means a cylindrical band 38 and the band 39 is slotted sothat within the slots there may be received a series of printingimpression members 39. The printing type of these printing impressionmembers corresponds in wording to the candidates name shown on the card29 and the printing members are so arranged in the slots that when aselected candidates name is adjacent the pointer 3|, a correspondingprinting member 39 will be brought to printing position. It is obvious,therefore, that the series of candidate name printing members 39 isarranged on a drum in the same order that the names appear on the namecard 29. By the removal of the printing unit, the operator may place onthe printing drum the desired printing members in the same order thatthey appear on the name card 29 and the proper relationship between thecandidate name indicator drum and the candidate name printing drum isassured by the operative relationship of the pin 36in the hole of thedisk 34.

Summarizing therefore, by rotating the candidates name indicator drum bymeans of the knurled ring 39, the desired printing member will bebrought to printing position and, as will be later described, printingwill be effected on the ballot in accordance with the successiveselection of the printing members, and since they may be selected at thewill of the operator, the candidates names will be printed on the ballotcard 55 (Fig. 3) in order of their choice.

It is preferable to enclose the printing member carrying drum so as toprevent access thereto for fraudulent purposes and to this end theprinting member carrying drum is enclosed by means of a cabinet cover 49which is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This cover maybe locked to theframework of the machine by a lock in order to prevent access to theprinting drum except by authorized persons having the key of the lock.As is best shown in Fig. 8, the cabinet cover 40 is provided with anopen ,portion designated 4| in Fig. 8 and this opening permits anoperative relationship between the selected printing member 39 and aplaten which is to be more fully identified and described hereinafter.

Aligning mechanism It is desirable to provide an aligning mechanismwhereby the position of the indicator and printing drums will beimpositively maintained in the position to which they have been manuallyadjusted. In the present machine, this is preferably carried out byattaching to the right end of the band 28 a ring 4| and this ring is provided with a series of equally spaced holes 42 (Fig. 3). The holes 42are spaced in locations corresponding to the spacing of the printingmembers and the names on the indicator drum.

'As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, secured to a shaft 43, which is a rockshaft but which at the present time may be considered to be stationary,is an arm 44 and slidably mounted in ears 45 which are integral withanarm 44 is: a spring pressed plunger 46. The plunger 46 is urged by aspring 41 so that it is adapted to enter one of the holes 42, therebyaligning the drums in their adjusted position, nevertheless permitting asubsequent adjustment of the drums for the next operation of themachine.

Ballot carriage As previously intimated, the. present machine is adaptedto print selected candidates names on a ballot card and the latter isshown in Fig. 3 in dotted outline and is identified by reference numeral55. As shown in this figure, the ballot is rectangular in form and isprovided with spaces which are adapted to receive the imprints of theselected candidates names. These spaces are preferably designated bynumerals arranged in numerical order.

Before any operation of the machine is effected, the voter will place ablank ballot on a carriage, the construction of which will now beexplained in detail. As best shown in 5, 6, '7, 8 and 10, the carriageconsists of a base plate 48 upon which is secured a thin plate 49,preferably of metal, and between guide strips 49a attached to plate 49the ballot is manually positioned. The normal position of the ballotcarrying carriage comprising in part the plates 43 and 49 is shown inFig. 5, wherein it will be seen that the front portion of the carriage,or that which is closest to the operator, is normally covered by apivoted cover 50 and the latter is hinged to the integral frame member5| by a hinge 52. Any suitable means may be provided to latch the cover59 in the position shown in Fig. 5 so that by disabling the latch thecover 50 may be rocked, thereby permitting the voter to insert a ballotcard on the carriage, the latter being positioned on the plate 49 andunderneath a cabinet cover plate 53. The ballot carrying carriage isadapted to be moved rearwardly from its normal position by successiveline spacing operations so that after a candidates name is printed onone line, the carriage will be moved rearwardly to the extent of a linespace to present the next space to the selected printing member. As thesuccessive imprints are effected, the step-by-step movement of theballot carriage will bring the successive imprints into view of thevoter and these imprints willbe seen through a window 54 which is formedin the cabinet cover 53. As will now beexplained in detail, the ballotcarrying carriage is adapted to have a lateral movement from theposition shown in Fig. 8 in order to effect the printing impression. Theconstruction of the carriage and the means for effecting this operationwill now be described in detail. Secured to the base plate 56 (Fig. 10)is a U-shaped frame plate 57 in which is journaled the rock shaft 43.Slidably mounted on the rock shaft 43 is a supplemental U-shaped frameconsisting of side arms 59 and 60 which are interconnected by anintegral cross-piece 6|. Secured to the cross-piece BI is a guide plate62 provided with upstanding guide rails 63 and said rails receiverollers 64 which are carried by the plate 48, which it will be recalled,is one element of the ballot carrying carriage. Obviously, by the abovedescribed arrangement, the rollers 64 may roll along the rails 63 and beguided thereby so that the carriage may be moved rearwardly for thedesired line spacing operations and independently of the carriageconsisting of the side arms 59, 60 and the cross-piece The last namedelements comprise a carriage which is slidably mounted on the rock shaft43 and this carriage may be moved laterally to the left by themanipulation of an operating handle 65. As best shown in Fig. 1, theoperating handle 65 is reciprocable in a guide slot 66 formed in a frontcabinet cover 61. The handle 65 is an integral part of a framedesignated by the reference numeral 68 and said frame comprises aCasting which is slidably mounted on the shaft 43 intermediate of theyoke 59, 60, 6| as best shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 10.

From Fig. 6, it will be noted that to the frame 68 there is secured astud 69 to which one end of a coil spring '10 is connected, the otherend of the coil spring being connected as shown in Fig. 5 to the sidearm 60. By means of the normal tension of the interconnecting spring 10,the movement of the operating handle 65 to the left will draw the ballotcarrying carriage in the same direction and when the ballot carryingcarriage is at its extreme leftward position, the ballot card will beoperatively disposed with relation to the printing type.

From Figs. 2 and 5, it will be seen that during the initial movement ofthe operating handle 65. a projection ll of the frame 68 will pass infront of a locking bar 12 which is carried by the depending portion ofthe cover 59. thereby looking the cover 50 against movement during theoperating stroke of the handle 65. The normal position of the handle 65will permit the cover 50 to be rocked to obtain access to the ballotcarrying carriage but when the cover 50 is rocked, the right end of thelocking bar 12 will be disposed to one side of projection H, therebypreventing a movement of the handle 65 as long as the cover 50 is out ofits normal position.

From Figs. 2 and 5, it will be seen that the frame 58 pivotally carriesa roller 73 and the roller 73, as best shown in Fig. 5, rolls over aguide plate 14 attached to the base 56, thus guiding the frame 68 in itsreciprocating movement. During the initial movement of the frame 68, theroller 13 will ride up a beveled cam portion (see Fig. 9), therebyrocking a bail which consists of a cross-piece 16 (see Fig. 2) and aside arm 17, and the arm 44 which is connected to the shaft 43. It isobvious, therefore, that upon the initial movement of the frame as, thebail and the shaft 43 will be rocked and from the previous description,it will be recalled that the arm 44 is secured to the shaft 43 and fromFig. 4, it will be seen that when the arm 44 is rocked downwardly, theplunger 46 will be rocked in the same direction, thereby causing theplunger to enter one of the holes 42 and thus locking the candidate nameindicator drum and the printing drum in their positions of adjustment.This will effectively prevent any movement of the drums out of theirposition of adjustment during the reciprocating stroke of the operatinghandle 65.

It is preferable to provide mechanism which is to insure that once theoperating stroke of the handle 65 is commenced, it will be completed andin both directions and to this end any suitable full stroke mechanismmay be provided. In the present machine, this consists of a conventionalmechanism, comprising a full stroke pawl 18 (Fig. l) cooperating withratchet teeth 19 of a plate 80. The ratchet teeth are so formed andcooperate with the pawl 18 in such a manher that once the operatingstroke of handle 65 is commenced, it must be completed to its extremeleftward position whereupon the handle 65 may be returned and during itsreturn movement, it must be completed before a subsequent stroke in theother direction may be initiated.

Upon the initial movement of the frame 68, the normal tension of coilspring 10 will cause the simultaneous movement of the ballot carryingcarriage in the same direction and upon an initial movement of thecarriage, a roller 8| carried by the side arm will be moved away from astationary block 82 (Fig. 5) thereby permitting the ballot carryingcarriage to rock slightly downwardly about the shaft 43 and when theroller 8! leaves the block 82, the roller will engage with a stationaryrail 33 (see Fig. 2) thereby causing the ballot carrying carriage to bemaintained in its downwardly rocked position during its lateralmovement. This rocking movement is desirable in the present machine inorder that the carriage may pass freely under the type carrying drum andto clear the inking guards and other mechanisms in the machine. Upon acontinued movement of the operating handle to the left and thesimultaneous movement of the ballot carrying carriage in the samedirection, the roller 8! will ultimately ride off the left extremity ofthe rail 83 as will be evident from Fig. 2 and the arm 59 will strikethe collar 44 of arm 49, stopping the movement of the carriage. Handleis moved further to the left further tensioning spring 10 and thereafterroller 53, referring to Fig. 9, will coact with a depending projection84 of a bracket plate 85 secured to the guide plate 62 of the ballotcarrying carriage. This obviously will, during the independent movementof frame 68, effect the upward movement of the carriage rocking thelatter about the shaft 43 and positively forcing, as will be seen inFig. 6, the bal lot 55 against the selected printing type 39, therebyeifecting a printing impression from the selected type which hasheretofore been inked.

Referring to Fig. 6, there will be noted the provision of a pair ofspring metal guards 88 and 81 normally urged downwardly by their ownresiliency. When the ballot printing carriage is elevated by the meansjust described, the spring guards will press downwardly upon the ballotcard 55 so as to hold it in position during the printing operation.

After the printing impression has been effected, the operator willretract the operating handle 65 to the right and during the initialmovement of the operating handle independent of the frame 68, thetension in the coil spring will be decreased so that the handle 65 maymove independently of'the ballot carrying carriage until at such timewhen the right side of frame 68 coacts with the arm 60 (see Fig. 10) andupon the further movement of the operating handle to the right, theframe 68 and ballot carrying carriage will be moved towards the normalposition. The reverse operations will be effected, that is to say, theballotcarrying carriage will first be moved downwardly and then held inits lower position during the restoration of the operating handle andwhen the ballot carrying carriage is at its normal position, the roller8| will again engage the block 82, thereby, causing the rocking of theballot carrying carriage to the normal position as is shown in Fig. 5.

During the movement of the ballot carrying carriage to the left asviewed in Fig. 8, an inking device will come into play so as to causethe inking of the type of the selected printing impression member 39 andthe preferred form of means for effecting this function will now bedescribed in detail.

Inlcing device The inking device is best shown in Figs. 2 and 8 whereinit will be seen that pivoted to the frame 68 by means of a stud 88 is aplate 39 and said plate has pivotally mounted thereon a narrow inkingroller 90, the periphery of which consists of a band of felt which issaturated with ink. The roller 90 is in alignment with the selectedprinting type 39. A depending portion 9| of the plate 89 is providedwith a pin 92 against which bears a spring plate 93 and the inherentresiliency of the spring plate 93 forces the inking roller 90 upwardlyto the position shown in Fig. 8 and such position is limited by thecoaction of a pin 94 with the edge of a circular hole 95 formed in theplate 89. Obviously, as the frame 68 is moved from the full lineposition shown in Fig. 8, the resilient action of the spring plate 93will cause the ink saturated roller 90 to bear against the type of theselected printing member 39, thereby inking the type and after theinking operation has been effected, the frame will occupy the dash-dotline position shown in Fig. 8. Upon a further movement of the frame 08to the left which is effected to cause the printing impression, adepending integral extension 96 of the plate 89 will engage a fixedbracket 91, thereby rocking the plate 89 so that the pin 92 will nowengage a step 98 of the spring 93 and this will cause the plate 89 to beheld in its lowered position so that during the return stroke of theframe 08, the roller 90 will be moved to the right but beneath theprinting member 39. As the fame 68 reaches its normal position,anotherfixed bracket 99 will engage with the extension 96, thereby rocking theplate 89 slightly in a clockwise direction, disengaging the pin 92 fromthe step 98 and the inking roller 90 will now occupy the normal positionshown in Fig. 8 in readiness for another printing operation from thenext type 39 to be selected.

Line spacing mechanism There will now be described the preferred form ofmeans for causing the step-by-step movement of the ballot card on whichthe successive candidates names are printed, so as to provide a new linefor each imprint to be effected.

The line spacing mechanism is best shown in Figs. 2, '5 and '7 andreferring particularly to Fig, 7, it will be seen that the stationaryguide plate 62-63 has secured thereto a bracket plate I00 and in thebracket plate I00, there is journaled a shaft IOI to which is fixed agear I02 which continually meshes with the teeth of a rack I03 securedto the underside of the plate 48, which, it will be recalled, is oneelement of the ballot carrying carriage. A conventional coil returnspring mechanism, the construction of which is well known and long usedin typewriters for the carriage return is utilized in the presentmachine for returning the ballot carrying carriage to its normalposition when successive imprints have been made. This mechanism isidentified by reference numeral I04 and it is understood that as thecarriage is moved rearwardly, the coil spring will be wound up so thatupon the release ofthe carriage the coil spring may return the carriageto its normal position.

Secured at one end of the shaft IOI is a ratchet wheel I 05 (Fig. 5) andcooperating with the ratchet wheel I05 is a spring pressed operatingpawl I06 pivotally mounted by a stud to an arm I01 which is looselymounted upon the shaft IOI. As best shown in Fig. 5, the arm I01 carriesat its lower end a roller I08 which cooperates with a cam track I09 bestshown in Fig. 2. The formation of the cam track I09 is such that as thecarriage is moved to the left, the roller I08 will strike the camportion of the cam track causing the arm I01 to be rocked clockwise(Fig. 5) against the tension of a spring IIO (Fig. 5) connected to thearm. The pawl I06 in cooperation with the ratchet wheel I05 will rockthe shaft IOI thereby causing through the gear I02 and rack I03 themovement of the ballot carrying carriage one step to the rear. The stepof movement given to the carriage is effected just prior to the printingoperation, thereby presenting a blank line space to the printing memberfrom which the printing operation is to be effected and this linespacing operation will, at the same time, bring the last line ofprinting, if one has been printed, into View of the window 54 (seFig.3). The step of movement given to the carriage will be maintained bymeans of a retrograde preventing pawl I I I (Fig. 5) which iscontinuously in cooperation with the ratchet wheel I05, thereby holdingthe carriage in its stepped position. A spring I I2 is extended betweenthe operating pawl I06 and the retrograde preventing pawl I II tomaintain both in cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet wheel I05. Itis explained that the pawl III is pivotally mounted on the bracket I00and furthermore when the imprint has been effected from the selectedtype member, the restoration of the carriage will enable the roller I08to descend to the lower part of the cam track I09 so that spring IIOwill rock the arm I01 reversely to its initial position, the pawl I05idly slipping over the ratchet teeth of the ratchet Wheel I04, and pawlII I, nevertheless, maintaining the carriage in its stepped position.

Manually controlled means to enable restoration of carriage uponcompletion of printing operations As previously intimated by firstadjusting the candidate name indicator drum to a desired position andthen reciprocating the handle 65, an imprint will be made on a line ofthe ballot card from the type member selected by positioning the drumand by alternate operations, a desired number of printings may beeffected upon the spaces of the ballot card and when the desired numberhas been performed, the carriage may be returned to its normal position,enabling the withdrawal of the printed ballot for deposit in thestandard ballot box.

In the present machine, the restoration of the carriage is effected bythe depression of a button H3 which is located exterior of the machine,as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, for manual manipulation. As best shown inFig. 8, the button I I3 is slidably mounted and is depressed against theaction of a return spring I I4 and pivotally mounted at II5 to the lowerpart of the button H3 is a member II6 having a hooked portion I I!overlying, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 8, extensions of the pawls I06and H I. Therefore, when the button is depressed, both pawls will berocked out of cooperation with the ratchet wheel I05, enabling the coilreturn spring mechanism IM to be effective to return the carriage to itshome position. When the carriage is in its home position, the cover 50(Fig. 5) is rocked so that the printed ballot may be withdrawn from themachine and a new ballot card inserted on the carriage in'readiness forprinting the names of the candidates selected by the next voter.

Means for enabling autographic notations on the ballot card It isdesirable for certain types of voting, particularly, proportionalrepresentation, to enable the voter to write in the name of a selectedcandidate not represented by the card 29 (Fig. l) and for which noprinting member is provided. The

present machine provides an arrangement for enabling the writing in of acandidates name and to accomplish this, the voter rotates the candidatename indicator drum to such a position that the designationWrite-in(Fig. 1) is adjacent the pointer 3I. The operating handle 65 is thenreciprocated to effect a line spacing operation without, however,printing on the ballot card because at this position of the indicatordrum, no printing member is at the printing line. This will bring thenext blank line of the ballot card 55 to a position wherein it will bebeneath a slot H8 (Fig. 3) and which is of sufiicient dimensions toenable the voter to write in the name of the selected candidate. FromFig. 3, it will be noted that the first line of the ballot card 55 isjust below the Write-in slot H8 so that in order to effect anautographic notation on the first line, the operating handle 65 is givena reciprocating stroke, the candidate name indicator drum being,

of course, in the Write-in position.

A front view of the assembled machine is shown in Fig. 1 and the ballotprinting machine, if desired, may be placed upon a suitable table or asshown in Fig. 8, it may be supported by a pedestal, the supporting stemof which is shown in Fig. 1 and identified by reference numeral I IS.The pedestal may be of any desired height so as to bring the operatingparts of the machine within easy access of the voter.

While applicant has shown his invention as elements in a voting machine,it is to be understood that the same invention may be incorporated inother forms of recording machines and likewise the ballot may consist ofother record members utilized in connection with other and similarrecording machines and the adoption of this element is to be consideredas merely illustrative and not restrictive.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, itwill be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changesin the form and details of the device illustrated in its operation maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only asindicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a recording machine provided with a printing head comprising arotatable member carrying a plurality of individually insertibleprinting members, a manually positionable rotatable drum carrying asheet representing names to be selected for printing by said printingmembers and means interconnecting said rotatable member and saidrotatable drum for causing the positioning of the printing members to aprinting position in accordance with the rotation of the drum necessaryfor the names selected, the combination of a carriage having a normalviewing position and a printing position and adapted to carry a record,an operating device for the machine, means operated by said device forreciprocating said carriage to position said record to a printingposition within the machine and for thereafter retracting said carriagefrom the printing position to its normal position for enabling theimpression made to be viewed, and means operated by said device toeffect an imprint from a selected printing member on the record when thelatter is at said printing position,

2. In a recording machine provided with a rotatable printing headcarrying a plurality of individually insertible printing membersselectable by a manually positionable rotatable drum carrying a sheetrepresenting names to be selected for printing by said printing members,the combination of a carriage having a normal position, a printingposition and adapted to carry a record, a line spacing mechanism forsaid carriage and partially carried thereby, an operating device for themachine, means operated by said device for reciprocating said carriageto position said record to a printing position within the machine, foreffecting an imprint on the record from the selected printing member,and for thereafter retracting said carriage from the printing positionto its normal position, and means cooperating with said line spacingmechanism and effective by the reciprocation of said carriage to causethe operation of the line spacing mechanism to line space said carriageto bring at the normal position of the carriage the printed line of therecord into position for enabling the impression to be viewed.

3. In arecording machine provided with a rotatable printing headcarrying a plurality of individually insertible printing membersselectable by a manually positionable rotatable drum carrying a sheetrepresenting names to be selected for printing by said printing membersthe combination of a carriage having a normal position, a printingposition and adapted to carry a record, a frame carrying said carriageand provided with means to enable said carriage to be moved relative tosaid frame, an operating device for the machine, means operated by saiddevice for reciprocating said frame and thereby said carriage toposition said record to a printing position within the machine and forthereafter retracting said frame and thereby said carriage from theprinting position to their normal positions, and for causing an imprinton the record from the selected printing member, and carriage shiftingmeans operated by the reciprocation of said frame to effect a relativemovement between said fram and carriage to enable the impression made onthe record to be viewed at the normal position of the carriage.

4. In a recording machine provided with a rotatable printing headcarrying individually insertible printing members selectable by arotatable drum carrying a sheet representing the wording of saidprinting members, the combination of a movable carriage adapted to carrya record member to b imprinted by said printing members, a reciprocablefram carrying said carriage, a manually operated device forreciprocating said frame, resilient means interconnecting said deviceand said frame to cause the simultaneous movement of said device andsaid frame to position said carriage to a printing position withrelation to a selected printing member, means for stopping said frameand carriage at said printing position, and means operated by thefurther movement of said device when said frame is at its stoppedposition to cause a movement of said carriage to effect an operativeprinting relationship between the record member on said carriage and theselected printing member.

5. In a recording machine provided with a rotatable printing headcarrying individually insertible printing members selectable by arotatable drum carrying a sheet representing the wording of saidprinting members, th combination of a movabl carriage adapted to carry arecord member to be imprinted by said printing members and comprising aplaten, a reciprocable frame carrying said carriage, a manually operateddevice for reciprocating said frame, flexible connecting meansinterconnecting said device and said frame to cause the simultaneousmovement of said device and said frame to position said carriage to aprinting position with relation to a selected printing member andenabling a further independent movement of said device, means forstopping said frame and carriage at said printing position, and meansoperated by the further independent movement of said device when saidframe is at its stopped position to cause a movement of said carriage toeffect an operative printing relationship between the record member onsaid carriage and the selected printing member.

6. In a recording machine provided with a rotatable printing headcarrying individually insertible printing members, the combination of amovable carriage adapted to carry a record member to be imprinted bysaid printing members, a

,reciprocable frame carrying said carriage, means for mounting saidframe to provide a rocking movement, a manually operated device forreciprocating said frame, resilient means interconnecting said deviceand said frame to cause the simultaneous movement of said device andsaid frame to position said carriage to a printing position withrelation to a selected printing member, means for stopping said frameand carriage at said printing position, and cam means effective by thefurther movement of said device when said frame is at its stoppedposition to cause the rocking movement of said frame, and thereby saidcarriage, to effect an operative printing relationship between therecord member on said carriage and the selected printing member.

'7. In a recording machine provided with a rotatable printing headcarrying individually insertible printing members, the combination of amovable carriage adapted to carry a record member to be imprinted bysaid printing members, a

reciprocable frame carrying said carriage, devices 7 to effect arelative movement between said carriage and said frame, a manuallyoperated device for reciprocating said frame, resilient means interconnecting said manually operable device and said frame to cause thesimultaneous movement of said device and said frame to position saidcarriage to a printing position with relation to a selected printingmember, means for stopping said frame and carriage at said printingposition, means operated by the further movement of said device againstthe tension of said resilient means and when said frame is at itsstopped position to cause a movement of said carriage to effect anoperative printing relationship between the record member on saidcarriag and the selected printing member, and means cooperating withsaid devices and rendered effective by the reciprocation of said frameto cause a relative movement between said carriage and said frame toenable the impression to be viewed upon return of said carriage to outof printing position.

8. In a recording machine which is provided with type members, and alaterally movable carriage adapted to carry a record to be printed bysaid members, said carriage being laterally moved from a normal positionto a printing position with regard to said printing members, thecombination of a cover for said carriage movable to give access to therecord on the carriage, and an interlocking mechanism consisting of alongitudinal bar cooperating with a projection, one of which is carriedby said carriage and the other by said cover, said projection beingunobstructed by said bar in the normal position of said carriage toenable the elevation of said cover, said cover by its elevation causingthe projection and bar to interact to lock the carriage, and said barbeing of a length sufficient to obstruct said projection to preventelevation of said cover during the movement of said carriage from saidnormal position to and from said printing position.

FREDERICK L.-FULLER.

